National Council on Disability Marine Corps Family Study

To better serve members and veterans of the armed services who are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), the National Council on Disability asked a team that includes NOD to provide recommendations for improving access to services and supports for their family members.

Background

The National Council on Disability (NCD) is an independent federal agency charged with making recommendations on policies, practices, and procedures for the disability community to Congress and the Administration. In 2009, NCD released a report identifying the obstacles to serving service members and veterans with PTSD and TBI. The report found a great potential cost — both financial and human — in ignoring the disabilities.

The Marine Corps understands the need to provide effective services, as these will support higher recruitment levels, higher rates of retention, and a greater degree of mission readiness for its affected service personnel. The Corps has, therefore, requested a study of the experiences of Marine Corps families with members with disabilities, with recommendations for improving access to services and supports.

Strategy

Military families who have family members with disabilities face unique challenges in seeking specialized services. They may need to relocate often as a result of their commitment to the Marine Corps. And their support system, while potentially extensive, can be difficult to navigate as it spans an array of federal, state, and local agencies. As a result, the focus in terms of strengthening these programs cannot be just on the individual, but on their dependents as well, who serve as their most immediate support structure.

Reports

NOD is working with ICF International to interview members of the Marine Corps' Exceptional Family Member Program, including family members with disabilities and the service and support providers who work with them to generate a report to the Marine Corps with recommendations on how to strengthen the program. A draft of the final report, with recommendations, will be submitted to NCD by Fall 2010.